The all new 2012 F30 3 series revealed, mild update - Pictures and video of 335i, 328i, and the Active Hybrid 3

The all new 2012 F30 3 series revealed, mild update - Pictures and video of 335i, 328i, and the Active Hybrid 3

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The all new 2012 F30 3 series revealed, mild update - Pictures and video of 335i, 328i, and the Active Hybrid 3

Well here it is, the new 2012 4 door F30 3 series. Not really all that much different externally with BMW playing it extremely safe. The styling envelope is not being pushed with the 3 taking cues from the F10 5 series for the headlights and the rear taillight design being as benign as possible. The interior is also a very minor update on the E90 with the BMW switchgear and gear lever that we have all grown accustomed to.

The car is larger with 3.7 inches of length added versus the previous model as well as a 2.0 inch longer wheelbase. This allows legroom to increase for the rear seat passengers by almost an inch. BMW claims the increase in size will not add weight with the F30 supposedly weighing 80 pounds less than the E90. That is something we will have to see when the curb weight tests come around for the new car.

The motor will be familiar except for the 328i which gets the new N20 4 cylinder. The 335 has the same N55 single turbo direct injected 6 cylinder. A hybrid model is also available. Overall, BMW played it extremely conservative with the new 3 and the good news is E90's will not look dated. Average people will likely have trouble even noticing the new changes.

The interior looks a lot better than the current models. I'm really not liking the hood pointing downwards way too much though. Everything else looks fine. I'm glad my E90 wont be looking too outdated next to an F30.

I double checked. They still use McPherson struts in front but for an unknown reason they changed the name and called it Double-pivot front axle.

i triple checked, the McPherson is gone. It's not a name change, they use the new double wishbone which replaced the McPherson Strut in F10 5er as well. Hope it's not gonna give a boat-like handling to F30.

Sometimes no change is good. I remember I used to love and own the 2nd generation eclipse body styling... Then they went to the 2000+ grand am look with the pentagon headlights. Looked like ass ever since. I'm glad when cars don't change too much to be honest. Not when there is a good thing going anyways.

This isn't very conservative, maybe it's a little less of a change than E46>E90 was but I think it looks perfect (except maybe that connection between headlight and kidneys, but it's minor).The only thing that could stop me from getting an M Sport 335i after my lease is up would be my ability to afford an F30 (or F80 or whatever) M3.

This isn't very conservative, maybe it's a little less of a change than E46>E90 was but I think it looks perfect (except maybe that connection between headlight and kidneys, but it's minor).The only thing that could stop me from getting an M Sport 335i after my lease is up would be my ability to afford an F30 (or F80 or whatever) M3.

Personally, it is way way too mild. Audi is pulling away in the styling department while BMW is stagnant.

Personally, it is way way too mild. Audi is pulling away in the styling department while BMW is stagnant.

AUDI? Their cars have looked the same since the B7 A4... I like them, but they change WAY less than BMWs have in the same time frame and considering you've been criticizing BMW for going back ot the same sausage, different lengths philosophy I think you need to go to Audi's website and look at all their models. Spoiler alert, they're all the same.

With that said, there's nothing wrong with a strong family resemblance. Personally, I'd rather be able to buy a BMW and just decide how much of a BMW I need (1 series, 3 series, 5 series) without having to sacrifice on features or styling on the smaller models. Why should I get $#@!tier leather and have to give up on the options a 7 series has just because I want a smaller, nimbler car?